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And he was the only one who could tell her just what to do.” — Page 58. 









Young Doctor Hamilton 


BY 

MARY A. FISHER 

II 

Author of Louisa Forrester/' Etc* 




9 * ^ 

• d 

I » « 

A ^ t 

J908 

COCHRANE PUBLISHING CO. ' 
TRIBUNE BUILDING 
NEW YORK 



LIBRARY of CONGRESS 
Two Copies Received 

DEC I 1908 

Copyrikot Entry 

No. 


CLASS O- AXc. 

’L-L\ 

COPY i\ 


To 

MISS LAURA SAUNDERS, 

of Mount Vernon, N. Y., 

This little book is affectionately inscribed by 

THE AUTHOR. 


Copyright, 1908, by 
COCHRANE PUBLISHING CO. 


YOUNG DOCTOR HAMILTON 


PAET I. 

Time — 1902. 

Place — The Red Lion Inn, Stockbridge, Mass. 

CHAPTER I. 

‘ ‘ What ’s the matter ? An accident ? ’ ’ 

The speaker was a young man who stopped to 
address a group of people standing round an old 
gentleman who stood leaning on his cane beside a 
young girl seated on a stone holding an injured 
foot. 

“ I ’m a physician. Can I be of use ? ’ ’ 

The girl looked up at him tearfully. “Oh, I don’t 
know what to do. I’ve hurt my foot dreadfully,” 
she said. 

To remove the shoe, tear his handkerchief into 
strips, and bandage the bleeding instep was the 
work of a few minutes. 

“I can never walk back to the Inn, papa,” she 
said. 

“Well, we must get a carriage, I suppose.” 

“This boy will run for a carriage,” said the 
doctor. 


3 


YOUNG DOCTOR HAMILTON 


‘ ‘ So provoking that this should happen, ’ ’ added 
the old gentleman testily. 

“Papa, it was yon who stumbled, and your cane 
with all your weight went on my foot. ’ ’ 

“Well, it’s no use talking now, here’s the car- 
riage. 

The young doctor lifted the lady in, and assisted 
the old gentleman into the opposite seat, saying: 
“That foot should be attended to at once, sir.” 

“But our doctor who lives in Philadelphia is 
now somewhere in the mountains, isn’t he, 
Marcia?” 

“But, papa, this gentleman’s a physician. Have 
you time, sir?” she added, looking at him implor- 
ingly. He handed her his card. She thanked him 
and handed it to her father. 

“Oh! I see, you’re Dr. Hamilton. I’ve heard of 
you — saw your name somewhere. You better see 
what you can do for this foot of hers.” After 
fumbling in several pockets, he produced his card 
which bore the name, George T. Crane, Philadel- 
phia. 

“I’ll be with you in an hour. Miss Crane,” said 

the doctor, and the carriage drove off. 
########* 

Marcia lay on a couch at their rooms at the Inn. 
The wounded foot had been carefuly dressed, but 
was still painful. 


4 


YOUNG DOCTOR HAMILTON 


“And you say we must have a nurse, Dr. Hamil- 
ton?” 

“You certainly must, sir.” 

“But how are we to get one out here?” 

“I may be able to send you one, Mr. Crane.” 

“Oh! please do. I shall be so thankful,” said 
the young lady. 

That evening a tall and rather attractive young 
woman called with Dr. Hamilton’s card, which in- 
troduced her as Miss Ethel Jewett — Nurse. 

“It’s no easy matter to find vases enough for all 
the flowers sent in to you. Miss Crane,” said the 
nurse. “And here’s another box with a note at- 
tached, from that young Italian lawyer who sits 
and smokes with your father in the evenings.” 

Marcia took the note. It opened into quite a long 
letter written on thin, foreign paper. 

“I wish he wouldn’t trouble himself about me.” 

“Your father told me to ask you when this gen- 
tleman might see you.” Miss Crane tore up the 
note. ‘ ‘ Please drop this into the waste basket, and 
give me my desk, and I ’ll write a final answer, and 
that must settle it.” There was a knock at the 
door and the nurse opened it to Dr. Hamilton. 

“I was waylaid this morning. Miss Crane, by 
your Italian friend, who wanted to know how you 
were, ’ ’ he said. 


5 


YOUNG DOCTOR HAMILTON 


' “Please don’t tell him anything about me,” she 
answered. 

“But I must give him a civil answer,” and the 
doctor laughed. ‘ ‘ I understand that he ’s a count in 
his own country, but waives that title here. ’ ’ 

“I’ve often met counts of no account,” replied 
Miss Crane. 

“But this one’s of some account, I believe. I 
hear that his father is one of our wealthiest mer- 
chants, that he has an income of his own, and de- 
votes most of his time to the Legal Aid Society, 
where he gives his services.” 

“He’s awfully homely,” said Miss Crane. 

“I’m sure his features are quite regular, and I 
should call him a good-looking chap. ’ ’ 

“His skin’s the color of coffee.” 

“Not quite so bad as that.” 

“We met him when we boarded at the Continen- 
tal. Papa took a great fancy to him, and I’m sure 
I can’t tell why, and he followed -us up here, and I 
was trying to avoid him when I hurt my foot. ’ ’ 

“As a punishment because you were trying to 
hurt his feelings.” 

“I dislike his eyes. I don’t like such black eyes 
anyway. They always look treacherous to me. I’ve 
told Miss Jewett never to let him in here or I’ll 
never forgive her.” 

“Then she knows what to expect. Now, Miss 
6 


YOUNG DOCTOR HAMILTON 


Jewett, I’m ready.” He sat down by the injured 
foot. The nurse spread a towel over his knees. 
When the bandages were removed, he sat motion- 
less gazing at the wounds. The nurse watched his 
countenance. She knew every expression of his in- 
telligent face. She saw his brow contract, and 
knew that he found nothing encouraging. Then he 
roused himself and went to work. When the ordeal 
of the painful dressing was over, he said to his 
patient as he took her hand, “Now, Miss Crane, 
this foot will take time and patience.” 


7 


YOUNG DOCTOR HAMILTON 


CHAPTEE II. 

About a week after the accident, as the doctor 
arrived at the Inn, he found an ambulance at the 
door. 

“Miss Crane’s going away, doctor,” said a 
loquacious waiter who stood on the steps. 

Dr. Hamilton’s first thought was one of surprise, 
almost of shock. Then for a second there was a 
feeling of relief, for no physician would have cov- 
eted the care of that foot with its complexity of 
crushed bones. Still again the pleasing person- 
ality of the girl lingered with him, and the large, 
full, dark eyes that had always greeted him with 
such perfect confidence — while her voice with its 
slight tinge of Southern accent had a subtle 
charm that fioated in his brain, like the breath of 
some bewitching oriental essence, that he could not 
shake off, and he would not if he could. Then the 
hopelessness of a cure and the failure of his best 
effort faded off into the distance and only a sense 
of disappointment remained. Was it fair for her 
to be going without a word to him? As he reflected 
his eye fell on the inscription on the ambulance, — 
Dr. Polinski’s Sanitarium. He knew that man. He 
8 


YOUNG DOCTOR HAMILTON 


saw in a flash what would happen to his fair 
patient. He knew how that old Pole exulted in the 
use of the knife. He knew too that this girl ’s heart 
was too weak for the necessary anaesthetic. But 
what would he care for her agonies, when once he 
had his victim on the operating table ? She would 
never come off it alive, and there would be the 
usual verdict that “the operation was perfectly 
successful, but so and so set in afterwards. ’ ’ 

Those pleading eyes that had appealed to him 
when he saw her seated on that stone holding the 
injured foot might plead in vain to this Polinski, 
who was a disgrace to the profession. The thought 
of her in this man ’s power made him feel sick. 

“Goin’ up. Dr. Hamilton?” the elevator boy 
called out. The voice recalled him to himself, and 
he stepped in. He would go up to her, take her 
hand in his once again, and bid her good-bye. For 
more than this his lips were sealed. 

On reaching Miss Crane’s apartments he found 
her father and Dr. Polinski in close conversation 
at the half open door, also a fat woman, the head 
nurse from the sanitarium, who joined in the con- 
versation, and urged the speedy removal of the 
young lady. As their backs were to him, he stood 
waiting to enter. There was a sound of some one 
sobbing, which was soon drowned by the old gen- 
tleman’s voice calling out, “Now, Marcia, no more 
9 


YOUNG DOCTOR HAMILTON 


dilly dally, Dr. Polinski must know best. He says 
your life depends on that foot being attended to in 
a different manner, and he ought to know. ’ ’ 

“But I don’t want to go, papa. I want to stay 
here. Don’t take me to a strange place, please 
don ’t.” 

“But I’ve made up my mind,” said her father 
irritably, “You don’t know what’s best for you, 
and if you can’t go willingly you must go unwill- 
ingly, that’s all. It worries me so I don’t know 
what to do. ’ ’ 

He now moved aside, and Dr. Hamilton, taking 
advantage of the space, entered the room and went 
over to the sick girl. 

Oh, Dr. Hamilton, I’m so glad you’ve come,” 
said Marcia, and she held out her arms implor- 
ingly. “You’re not tired of me, are you? You 
don ’t want to give me up, do you ? ’ ’ But her father 
came forward. 

“Dr. Hamilton, I have consulted with my 
friends and have decided to place my daughter 
with a much older physician. ’ ’ 

“Oh, papa, won’t you listen to me?” and she 
burst into tears again. Here the young nurse 
stepped up to old Mr. Crane and putting her hand 
on his arm, said in a decided voice, “Mr. Crane, I 
understand that your daughter is twenty-two 
years old. She is no longer a minor and you have 
10 


YOUNG DOCTOR HAMILTON 


no right to force her to go away against her will. 
She has chosen her physician. I am appointed her 
nurse. I have charge of this room, and I ask you 
to go out and take these people with you, for if we 
cannot protect your daughter the law will, and if 
you don’t leave us in peace, I shall send for the 
proprietor. ’ ’ 

She opened the door wider, and with a little 
more parley, Mr. Crane shuffled out, followed by 
Dr. Polinski and his nurse. The doctor now went 
over to the sick girl, who took both his hands in her 
nervous grasp and laughed and cried hysterically. 
Her overwrought nerves had well nigh put her 
into a fever. 

Finally she was quieted down, and as the nurse 
wiped away her tears, she said, “Dr. Hamilton, 
I’m sorry that papa spoke to you about an older 
physician. It was so ungrateful of him. ’ ’ 

‘ ‘ Don ’t let that trouble you for one moment, ’ ’ he 
answered. “That opinion of your father’s in 
favor of older physicians is one thing that we 
young doctors have to contend with. ’ ’ 

“But some of the ladies here in the Inn tried to 
show him that it is the young doctors that have the 
advantages of all the modern discoveries which 
many of the old ones are unwilling to acknowl- 
edge. ’ ’ 


II 


YOUNG DOCTOR HAMILTON 


“Now, Miss Marcia, please let go my hands. I 
must see to the foot.” 

“Then Ethel, lock the door. I’m so afraid 
they’ll come back.” 

“It’s done already,” said the nurse. 

“You’ve nothing to fear. Miss Marcia,” said the 
doctor. 

Again she held his hand in her nervous grasp, and 
that half frightened look came into her face. 

“Suppose they should come in the night and 
steal me away.” 

“Now, you make us laugh. Eemember Ethel’s 
a match for them. Promise me that you won’t 
worry any more, and I’ll be here in the morning.” 

“I’ve given you lots of trouble, but I couldn’t 
help it. There was a look in their faces that fright- 
ened me. ’ ’ 

“I know it, but it’s all over now. G-ood-bye.” 

The large, dark eyes were raised to his face with 
a look full of confidence and trustfulness. “You 
will come every day?” she asked. 

“Yes, and when I can’t come, I’ll ’phone you.” 

“I’ll have the ’phone put in this room, so your 
voice can come in here to me. ’ ’ 

“A good idea. You can have it right on this 
stand by you, and then you can talk to me yourself, 
if you care to. Good-bye. ’ ’ 

“Oh, Miss Jewett, come here. I want to hug 
12 


YOUNG DOCTOR HAMILTON 

you,” said Marcia Crane as soon as they were 
alone. “I shall be grateful to you as long as I 
live.” But the nurse did not hear. She was 
standing at the window watching the doctor as he 
went down the road until he was out of sight. 

“I was thinking how nice it must be to be a nurse 
and work with Dr. Hamilton in the hospital,” said 
Marcia. 

Ethel ’s face brightened. “ Yes ? ” she said. 


13 


YOUNG DOCTOR HAMILTON 


CHAPTER III. 

Ethel Jewett was no ordinary girl. Few nurses 
of twenty-five had as good a record. Her profes- 
sion was her religion, and her ideals were of a high 
order. Only the most severe cases satisfied her am- 
bition. Of untiring zeal, she worked with a consci- 
entiousness that never wavered. 

There are some women who fascinate women as 
well as men, and Marcia Crane was one of them. 
Ethel Jewett found her the most charming patient 
she had ever met. During the long nights when 
Marcia could not sleep on account of the painful 
foot, she gladly forfeited much of her rest to 
amuse and entertain the patient, until there was 

a strong bond of love between them. 

****** 

“Ethel!” 

“Yes, Miss Marcia.” 

“Do leave those pots and pans to the maid, and 
come and tell me something. ’ ’ 

“Tell you something? What can I tell you, 
dearie? Another hospital story?” 

“No, no. Let me get my arms around you. Now 
lie down there — so. She lowered her voice almost 
14 


YOUNG DOCTOR HAMILTON 


to a whisper. ‘ ‘ Tell me all you know — everything 
about Dr. Hamilton.” 

The nurse started back like one who had re- 
ceived a stab. A suspicion never dreamed of be- 
fore flashed across her mind, and held her as in a 
vise. Several little incidents came cropping up to 
conflrm it. She remembered that when she made 
Marcia’s bed, she found the doctor’s card under 
her pillow, and wondering how it came there, had 
removed it to the table, only to And it under the 
pillow again in the morning. Then Marcia had 
tired herself embroidering a monogram on a dozen 
handkerchiefs. 

Was this wealthy girl to come between her and 
that one hope of her life ? This Marcia, who could 
have everything, while she had only this? True, 
the hope had no foundation — no basis to rest upon, 
but no matter, she would not give it up — she could 
not! The doctor showed that he preferred her 
work to that of the other nurses, and didn’t that 
mean something? Besides, perhaps, after all Mar- 
cia was nothing to the doctor any more than any 
other patient, so why need she worry? No matter 
how much Marcia thought of him, probably he 
would never know it. 

She had now been away from Marcia two whole 

15 


YOUNG DOCTOR HAMILTON 


weeks, and there had been a substitute nurse in her 
place. 

“How do you like your patient?” Ethel inquired 
as she hung up her hat in the lobby, when the other 
nurse came by with the supper tray. 

“I think she’s lovely,” in her quiet, drawly 
voice. “But aren’t they related, she and the doc- 
tor?” 

“Why, no, what put that into your head?” 

“They seem so attached.” 

“That’s a very stupid remark, I think Kitty,” 
and Ethel’s color rose, “the doctor’s interested in 
her as a patient of course, — ^nothing more.” 

“Well, you needn’t be so snappish, Ethel 
Jewett.” 

“Oh, well, Kitty, I’m sorry I spoke so. I didn’t 
mean to — I’m tired with that little four-year-old. 
I went because I’d promised his mother, and the 
poor child wouldn’t let the other nurses hold 
him.” 

##### 

“Oh, Ethel, I’m so glad you’ve come. I’ve been 
waiting to tell you something so nice. I’m one of 
the happiest girls in the whole world! Of course 
you can guess why. But the doctor won’t speak to 
papa and I do so want to. I want every one to 
know about us. I think he’s just splendid. That 
first day when he tore up his handkerchief, and 

i6 


YOUNG DOCTOR HAMILTON 


bound my foot so nicely, those honest blue eyes 
went down into my very soul, and have been there 
ever since. I ’m so delighted that he has blue eyes. 
They have always been my favorites. His will be 
the first in our family. Ours are all dark, you 
know. But, Ethel, I hear the German ladies pass- 
ing. Do slip out for water or something, and tell 
them. ’ ’ 

The nurse did as directed. The wind gushing 
through the open door, blew a small vase off the 
mantelpiece. 

“Oh, Miss Marcia, that Dresden vase that you 
said was so valuable is broken in many pieces. Can 
it be mended!” 

Marcia laughed. “That’s the very one that the 
doctor admired, isn’t it! Never mind, Ethel. I’ve 
something more valuable to think about now than 
Dresden china. Besides, I can buy more, you 
know. I ’ve my own money from my grandmother, 
and papa cannot touch it. ’ ’ 

“It wouldn’t have happened, Marcia, only you 
told me to move the flowers so you could see the 
clock. ’ ’ 

“Well, of course, I want to watch the minutes. 
He’ll soon be here now. Haven’t you noticed what 
a cheery face he always comes in with and then in 
a few minutes he looks as grave as a judge. As 
though he had all the care in the world, and he 

17 


YOUNG DOCTOR HAMILTON 


answers in monosyllables. Here he is! I always 
know his knock now,” said Marcia. 

“So, Miss Jewett, you’re back again,” said the 
doctor. “I’m sure Miss Marcia’s glad to see 
you,” and going to the couch. “Miss Marcia, 
you’re better to-day.” 

She smiled. “I’m always better when you’re 
here.” 

“Of course. That’s what I’m here for, isn’t 
it?” 

“I asked you not to wear that horrid gray suit. 
I like you in blue the best. You wore blue the first 
time I saw you.” 

“Marcia, dear, I forgot until I was dressed. But 
I will remember after this. ’ ’ 

“You must. I want you always to wear blue. ’ ’ 

“Are these your water-colors?” 

“Yes. Mamma taught me to paint. ” 

“Will you paint me something some day?” 

“Would you care for it?” 

“Of course, I would, ever so much.” 

Her eyes brightened, and a smile played over 
the pale face. 

‘ ‘ But listen, doctor. Ethel knows everything. ’ ’ 

“She does? I doubt it.” 

“I mean everything about us.” 

“Oh, that’s different.” 

i8 


YOUNG DOCTOR HAMILTON 


“Are you going to speak to papa to-day?” 

“No, Miss Marcia, I am not.” 

“But why not?” 

“Because I don’t wish to.” 

“But I wish it.” 

“I can’t help it. I thought we understood one 
another about that. You know what you promised 
me.” 

“ Oh ! You ’re such a tyrant. Anyway, Ethel told 
the German ladies and they will tell Martini, that 
Italian. I did so want him to hear it. You know 
his father married a rich Chicago woman, who 
has left him all her money, and of course he im- 
agines that his title and money make him a great 
snap.” 

“And this after your promise to me? Is that all 
a woman’s promise is worth?” 

“It was Ethel. Besides, you said wait, and I 
waited a whole day. It was such a delicious bit of 
satisfaction because it was so presumptious of 
him to follow me up here, with his horrid black 
eyes and coffee skin, and he made me get this acci- 
dent. ’ ’ 

“And only for that I wouldn’t be here to-day.” 

“But I know he’ll speak to papa about it, so I 
got ahead of you, didn ’t I ? ” 

A mischievous smile lit up her face. 

The doctor smiled as he turned to the nurse. 

19 


YOUNG DOCTOR HAMILTON 


“ Now to work, ’ ’ he said. He took off his coat, and 
rolled up his sleeves above the elbow, Marcia’s 
eyes following every movement. Ethel, too, watched 
his face as he took off the bandages, and resting 
his hands on his hips, stood and gazed on the angry 
member that looked determined to baffle all medi- 
cal skill. 

His brow contracted. Ethel knew every expres- 
sion of his strong, intelligent face. She had 
watched it so often. She saw he was troubled. 
Finally he sat down. Ethel spread the towel over 
his knees. She looked at Marcia. The blood had 
left her face. Her lips were tightly compressed, 
and her hands were clutching the slumber robe 
that covered her. Ethel understood that she was 
controlling herself with a supreme effort, for no 
sound escaped her lips. 

The painful ordeal over, the doctor began the 
bandaging, the nurse assisting him. 

The warm strength of his hands met the, chill of 
her fingers as he passed the bandage round and 
round the injured foot. It always seemed to Ethel 
that no other doctor did this as he did, — that the 
earnestness of his work entered into the smallest 
detail. Finally the bandage had made its last 
round, and their hands met for the last time. It 
was so little — and yet to her it was so much. 

20 


YOUNG DOCTOR HAMILTON 


“Marcia, you’re the bravest girl I have ever 
known, ’ ’ said the doctor. 

A sweet sraile lighted up the pale face. 

Then he took the foot between his hands and 
pressed it gently. 

“Oh, your hands soothe it so nicely,” said 
Marcia. 

“Nurse, look out for the foot and we’ll raise her 
a little. There, isn’t that better?” as he smoothed 
the pillow. 

‘ ‘ Oh, you have such nice, strong arms. ’ ’ 

“Of course I have, and they like to work for 
you.” 

“But suppose I should never be able to walk 
again?” 

“What of it? when my strong arms are able to 
carry you.” 

‘ ‘ And you wouldn ’t mind ? ’ ’ 

“I wouldn’t mind. Why should I. That heavy 
hair of yours is always falling over your forehead 
and I like to see the whole of it. There, let it stay 
up so.” Marcia caught his hand as it toyed with 
her hair, and said, “Oh, if I could keep you here 
always !” 

He poised himself on the edge of the couch. ‘ ‘ Let 
me get my arm under you, there! Now put that 
little hand round my neck as you did yesterday. 
Sol Now go to sleep, my brave darling.” 

21 


YOUNG DOCTOR HAMILTON 


Ethel Jewett sat by the window, but she was not 
looking out. Her eyes were riveted on the couch. 
She saw Marcia’s fingers twined round his collar. 
She saw their lips meet. The room began to swim 
round. There was a mist before her eyes. Pres- 
ently everything began to be tossed about as on bib 
lows drifting the doctor away — away from her. 

“Nurse!” 

The voice roused her. It was the doctor motion- 
ing to her to disentangle Marcia’s fingers from his 
collar. Ethel’s hands were nervous. Marcia mur- 
mured some protest in her semi-consciousness. 

“Be careful,” he said. “Poor dear, she needs 
her sleep so much. ’ ’ Then with his low, soft words 
again he soothed her into slumber once more. Giv- 
ing a few directions, adding, “You have the mor- 
phia if you need it, ’ ’ he passed out. 

Marcia slept on. The nurse sat and reflected — 
that this wealthy girl should come between her and 
the hope that she hungered for — ^was it right? Was 
it just?” 

Then she thought of the morphia needle. One 
little overdose to that frail girl with her delicate 
organism and she would sleep into the eternities. 

As her thought rested on the hypodermic needle 
her memory recalled the story told by the head 
nurse in the training school of a nurse who, 
through jealousy and falsehood, caused the death 
22 


YOUNG DOCTOR HAMILTON 


of a patient, and althongh she gained her object, 
the ghost of the dead woman was constantly be- 
fore her, and her life was a wretched one. 

Ethel shuddered at the thought. But how much 
should the overdose he? She reached over to the 
mantel and found that the doctor, with his accus- 
tomed precaution, had left only one little dose. An 
audible sigh of relief escaped her. It was a cry of 
joy, of thankfulness, that he had placed Marcia be- 
yound her power. 

Throwing herself at the foot of the couch she 
burst into tears. 

“No, no, Marcia! I’m not so base as that! It 
was only the temptation of a moment !” 

It was far into the night when she went over 
to her little room. No penitent nun in sackcloth 
and ashes ever scourged her soul more than this 
loyal nurse as she wrestled with herself between 
her fitful slumbers. 

When the morning dawned, she put her pillow at 
the window to dry, and refreshed by her bath, went 
to Marcia and put the room in order; brought in 
the fiowers from the balcony and arranged them 
with unusual care. 

“Ethel, dear!” 

“Yes, Miss Marcia!” 

“What a lovely sleep I’ve had. It must be be- 

23 


YOUNG DOCTOR HAMILTON 


cause I’m so happy. But I had a dream. I was 
in a far-off land where every one was full of joy, 
but it mystified me, and set me thinking, and while 
you were at breakfast, I’ve been busy. I want you 
to get two people to witness my signature. I’ve 
been drawing up a little will. Ask that lady and 
her cousin who came in yesterday. If anything 
happens to me, the doctor will have most of my 
property. It’s right that I should leave it to the 
one I love best. Do leave those things and come 
here and let us talk. I want the doctor to speak to 
papa, but he won’t. He keeps saying, ‘Bye and 
bye.’ Papa thinks so much of money, I’m sure it 
doesn’t always make people happy. I can imagine 
the tiniest of flats with the biggest amount of hap- 
piness, can’t you, Ethel? It’s so strange how 
things happen ! I tried once with all my heart to 
like a friend of papa’s, because he’d set his mind 
on him for a son-in-law. But it was no use. And 
this time — well, in a couple of weeks, it seemed as 
though I had known the doctor always. ’ ’ 

“Now listen, Marcia. I’m going to put you on 
your prettiest dress to-day, and your bracelets and 
make you look like a princess, when the doctor 
comes, and I’ve got a scarlet poppy for your hair. 
He likes you in scarlet. Now for the lotion. ’ ’ 

‘ ‘ Oh, that horrid lotion ! I shall ask the doctor 
to give it up ; it smarts so. ’ ’ 

24 


YOUNG DOCTOR HAMILTON 


“You might as well try to move a mountain. He 
knows what to do and never wavers. You can see 
the strength in his face. That is the secret of his 
success. Come, dear, it must be done. You always 
bear it bravely when he is here. Besides, I’ll prom- 
ise to tell you something nice ; something about the 
doctor.” 

‘ ‘ Will you really ? Make haste, then. ’ ’ 

“Well, as I’ve told you, there is considerable 
flirting going on between the doctors and the 
nurses in a hospital, and last year a dear, good girl 
took it so seriously to heart that she is now in a 
convent for life, and Dr. Hamilton has turned him 
out of the hospital and has never spoken to him 

since. He despises anything so dishonorable. 

******### 

“Look on the easel,” Marcia said, when the doc- 
tor came in the next day. “See, Ethel got your 
photo enlarged so that I could have it here by me 
when you’re not here. It was her own suggestion. 
She’s so good to me.” 

“Ethel’s a goose as I told you before. I know 
her of old. Now, nurse, I’ve no time to lose,” said 
the doctor. 

“That means that you’re going to stay only a 
stingy little while,” said Marcia, and I need you so 
much, ’ ’ and her beautiful eyes filled. 

“Let me put that cushion between your shoul- 

25 


YOUNG DOCTOR HAMILTON 


ders, and raise you up, then you won’t look so like 
a mummy. Did you make that drawing for me?” 

‘ ‘ I began it, but there are so many cottages for 
sale. I don ’t see why you want to build one. ’ ’ 

‘ ‘ But I do. Is this the plan ? ’ ’ 

“You are holding it upside down.” 

“What’s this parallelogram?” 

“That’s the piazza. And there’s the foyer hall, 

and that’s the parlor, and ” 

‘ ‘ Where ’s my office ? ’ ’ 

“ Oh ! I forgot that. ’ ’ 

“Thank you.” 

“I remember now that Ethel said to put it on 
the sunny side, because that hill is cold in the win- 
ter. Didn ’t you, Ethel ? ’ ’ 

“Mind, I want a very nice plan that I shall not 
be ashamed to hand to the architect. ’ ’ 

“Ethel looks thin and pale, doesn’t she? I’m 
afraid that I ’m a great tax on her. ’ ’ 

‘ ‘ Of course you are, and on me, too. ’ ’ 

“Ethel must have a room in our house, and come 
there whenever she’s off duty.” 

“Of course she must.” 

“I’m going to fit up her room in blue, that’s her 
color.” 

“Of course it is. Yes, we’ll give her the blues — 
they become her,” continued the doctor. “But, 
26 


YOUNG DOCTOR HAMILTON 


Marcia, a friend of mine is coming to see you to- 
morrow. ’ ’ 

‘ ‘ A friend of yours ? "WTiat for ? ’ ’ 

‘ ‘ Because I wish it. ’ ’ 

Marcia smiled. “Then you’re going to be the 
tyrant again. But who is it ? ” 

‘ ‘ Guess ! I’ll give you three guesses. Mind, only 
three.” 

“Some other doctor?” 

“No, no. What do you want with another doc- 
tor ? Don ’t I do well enough ? ’ ’ 

Marcia laughed. “But I couldn’t think of any 
one else. Perhaps your mother. ’ ’ 

“Now, Marcia, you make me laugh. My mother 
never visits my patients. Why should she ? That 
makes two guesses — you have only one left.” 

“Oh, I know now. You mean the architect.” 

“No, indeed ! Now you’ve had all your guesses.” 

“You certainly are a tyrant,” pouted Marcia, as 
her arms tightened round his neck. 

“Eemember that I want you to put on that dress 
that I like best to-morrow to receive my friend. 
He’s about my age. You’ll like him. Now, I want 
a lock of your hair, darling. Let Ethel cut off this 
little curl under your ear. Yes, that’s it. Thank 
you.” 

“Here’s a little envelope where it’ll just fit in,” 
said Ethel. 


27 


YOUNG DOCTOR HAMILTON 


“Now, Marcia, you put it in this inside pocket 
yourself, ’ ’ he added. 

Again the foot was dressed, and again Ethel 
read in the doctor’s face a mystery. 

“Now, darling, kiss me good-bye,” he said. 

Still he lingered, even after Marcia had released 
her hold of him. There was still the alluring, be- 
witching fascination about her, also the conscious- 
ness of her devotion to him, held him for the mo- 
ment till the clock striking called him to himself. 

Then he motioned to Ethel as he left the room. 
She followed him out. “Keep her mind off the 
foot,” he said. “Get her to work on another 
plan, — anything to take her attention.” Then as 
if to himself, “I give it only two months,” and he 
hurried away. 

Two months! What did that mean? The more 
Ethel pondered over the words, the more she was 
puzzled. 

#**#****# 

“Ethel, listen. I’m going to make the doctor 
take a long rest and we will go traveling.” 

“Don’t make too sure of having your own way 
in everything,” was the answer. “I know you’ll 
find out that he has a will of his own. Bemember 
that I’ve known him a great deal longer than you 
have. ’ ’ There was triumph in her tone which the 
nurse would have gven worlds to recall. 

28 


YOUNG DOCTOR HAMILTON 


Marcia looked at her with that earnest gaze of 
hers. A half frightened look came into her eyes as 
she said, while her lips trembled a little, “Do you 
mean that he won’t want to please me by and bye, 
Ethel?’’ The nurse’s heart was touched, and 
throwing her arms round the dear girl, she cried, 
“Oh, let me take it all back? He’ll do anything to 
please you. You ’ll be very happy. ’ ’ 

“But you’re crying, Ethel. I tire you out, 
don’t I?” 

“No, I got nervous with that little boy.’’ 

*#**#*#** 

“I can tell that you’ve had a bad night,” said the 
doctor as he leaned over Marcia. 

“And she wouldn’t let me give her the mor- 
phine, ’ ’ said Ethel. 

‘ ‘ That was wrong, Marcia. You make your nurse 
disobey orders. ’ ’ 

“I was afraid. I’ve heard of people getting the 
habit of it, and I thought how dreadful it would be 
if you had a wife who was a morphine fiend.” 

The doctor laughed. “No fear of you’re getting 
the habit, Marcia. You’re too high-minded for 
that. I’ll bring round an auto this evening, and 
take you and Miss Jewett for a spin. You’ll sleep 
all the better for it. Be sure to put on that tailor 
made suit of yours. ’ ’ 

‘ ‘ Which one ? I have several. ’ ’ 

29 


YOUNG DOCTOR HAMILTON 


‘ ‘ The one you wore when I first saw you. I think 
it was dark green, and that merry widow hat of 
yours.” 

‘ ‘ Which one ? I have three merry widows. ’ ’ 

“Oh, I mean the one with the red roses all 
round it.” 

“You mean poppies, not roses.” 

“Do I? All right, the poppy hat then at seven- 
thirty, mind.” The color came into her face and 
she laughed. It was just what he wanted. 

“I see when any mention of the doctors is 
made in the Gazette, your name is always put 
first, and that pleases me so much.” He smiled. 
“Very small things please you, Marcia.” 

“They’re not small to me. I tried to finish the 
plan. ’ ’ 

“I see you did, but you forgot the chimneys,” 

“I turned the sun parlor into your office.” 

“It will be so comfortable that I shall never 
want to go out. That will suit you, won’t it?” 

She gave him the sealed envelope containing her 
will. “Take good care of this,” she said as she put 
it in his pocket. 

‘ ‘ Of course I shall, but what is it ? ” 

“Are you tired to-day?” she asked. 

“Oh, I’m always tired,” he replied as he threw 
himself into a chair. 

Her eyes moistened. “I’m going to make you 
30 


YOUNG DOCTOR HAMILTON 


have an assistant by and bye, so you can’t work so 
hard,” she said. 

“Don’t put him in my sun parlor. I won’t have 
him there. But I have my mind on a very good 
fellow. He can go on the cold side of the house 
and Ethel will look after him. He’s had his eye 
on Ethel for some time.” 

“Is that really so?” inquired Marcia. 

‘ ‘ Of course it is. Did Ethel never tell you ? I’m 
surprised. 

‘ ‘ Do tell me his name, ’ ’ said Marcia. 

‘ ‘ Oh, I mustn ’t. Ask Ethel. ’ ’ 

‘ ‘ Ethel, will you tell me ? ’ ’ 

‘ ‘ There ’s nothing to tell. Miss Marcia. The doc- 
tor ’s only joking. There’s not one there that I’d 
give a thought to.” 

The doctor laughed. 

“Did you make me that water-color of our cot- 
tage that is to be ? ” 

“Yes, here it is. But I couldn ’t do it very well. 

“Oh, that’s not so bad. But what are those ob- 
jects in front?” 

“They are two jardinieres, but the paint ran 
together.” 

“Oh, I thought they were Ethel and my assistant 
going to run away together. Now, kiss me good- 
bye. If you’re going to cry, I won’t come this 
evening. ’ ’ 


31 


YOUNG DOCTOR HAMILTON 


“Well, I won’t, if you’ll just stay five more min- 
utes by the clock. I’ll watch, if you’ll turn your 
face this way.” 

“Oh, I can’t trust you, you witch, you’re not 
honest enough. No, I’ll watch the clock. Just five 
minutes, then.” 

A smile beamed over the sweet face, but he saw 
that her eyes were filling and he folded her in his 
strong embrace. 

Then he was silent awhile, and his face grew 
serious, as he sat looking toward the foot. “My 
poor darling. You have been so brave. It will 
soon be well.” He kissed her forehead, her hair, 
the long, dark lashes that rested on her cheek, the 
last kiss lingering on her lips. 

The nurse watched from the window when the 
doctor went out, as was her wont. This was some- 
thing Marcia could not rob her of, and for the mo- 
ment he was all her own. She saw him leave the 
hotel, and going over to the electric light he took 
the envelope from his pocket and stood reading it. 
Then he pressed it to his lips, and the next instant 
tore it into bits and gave them to the winds. 

The doctor held Marcia in his arms, her head 
resting on his breast. 

‘ ‘ And so my reverend friend came and told you 
what I could not?” he said. 

32 


YOUNG DOCTOR HAMILTON 


“Yes, and I understand it all now. And I’m 
glad that I’ve kept my foot even if it has been so 
naughty, and given you so much trouble. I 
shouldn’t like to go into the next world mutilated. 
Yes, he told me a beautiful story where the parents 
lost their only child, a dear little boy, with diph- 
theria, and their strong love for each other was 
the only thing that helped them live through their 
great affliction. He told me how human love could 
overcome grief and lighten pain. But your eyes 
are wet. Let me kiss them. It won’t be many 
more times. And you took care of that paper L 
ga ve you?” 

“What paper, dear?” 

“Why, my will.” 

He was silent awhile. Then he said, “Marcia, 1 
prefer to win my own way in the world. A m a n 
appreciates most what he struggles for,” She 
started back. “But you must! You must take 
it ! I wish it so much ! ’ ’ 

“Yes, yes. Of course. That will be all right. 
Listen, darling. Would you like me to make a vow 
to you to remain a celibate?” 

‘ ‘ What, for your lifetime ? ’ ’ 

“Yes, for my lifetime, Marcia.” 

She drew his face down to hers. ' ‘ Oh, no. I love 
you too well for that. I won’t be so selfish. But 
there’ll be a niche in your memory for me always, 
33 


YOUNG DOCTOR HAMILTON 


•won’t there? And, I like to think that no other 
woman will ever love yon as much as I have, ’ ’ she 
said. 

“No one will ever do so, my own darling. They 
could not.” 

“No one could have the same reason.” 

“Of course not.” 

**#**##** 

Marcia ’s couch was surrounded with the largest 
<)f white lilies. Her beautiful eyes closed in the Iasi 
sleep. 

Ethel, the faithful nurse, was arranging the 
flowers. She wouldn’t let anyone else touch them. 

“Now, Marcia, a kiss to you because you 
wouldn’t let him make that vow, for if he had, he 
would have kept it, though I’m sure it was only his 
sympathies — nothing more. Notwithstanding the 
vigor and strength of his manhood, in his sympa- 
thies he has the heart of a woman.” 

There was the sound of footsteps and a walking 
cane on the polished floor, and old Mr. Crane came 
shuflBing in, followed by the doctor. 

“Now, doctor,” he began in his blunt way, “I’m 
going to leave here, so youliad better send me your 
bill.” 

“There’s no bill, sir, only a memory,” was the 
answer. 


34 


YOUNG DOCTOR HAMILTON 


Turning to the nurse, he asked ‘ Do you return 
to the hospital, Miss Jewett?” 

“Yes,” she replied. 

He looked at his watch. “We can catch the next 
trolley down. Let me take your valise. ’ ’ 

They walked down the road together to wait for 
the trolley. 

Ethel doesn’t mind waiting. Why should she? 
She no longer puts her pillow at the window to dry 
when she gets up in the morning, for the peach 
bloom has returned to her cheek, and the light to 
her violet eyes. 


15 


YOUNG DOCTOR HAMILTON 


PABT II . 

CHAPTER 1. 

“Well, doc, I’m off to the Philippines. I’ve got 
an appointment.” 

“You have ! What about your wife ? ’ ’ 

“Oh, that’s the very thing that’s brought me 
here. I want to ask you to look in upon her once 
in a while — I suppose she’ll be awfully lonesome at 
first, but she must visit roimd among our friends 
and entertain now and then. I’m leaving her 
pretty well fixed, you know — she won’t want for 
anything. ’ ’ 

The young doctor looked at him for awhile in 
silence, a stern expression passing over his coun- 
tenance. 

“Jack Appleton, I’m surprised,” he said at last. 
“You ought not to have married the woman unless 
you could take her with you or stay at home and 
give the thing right up. You expect to be gone 
three years, don’t you?” 

“Well, about that, but ” 

“I could no more have married a woman and 
then stay away from her for three years — for three 

36 


YOUNG DOCTOR HAMILTON 


months even — than cut my throat,” added the 
doctor. 

“Well, perhaps not. You have your own ideas, 
of course, ’ ’ he added, feeling rather sheepish. 

“In the first place your wife isn’t the kind that 
ought to be left to select her friends — she doesn’t 
discriminate, and if you want your family to re- 
spect her, you ought to stay and protect her from 
that objectionable set that’s trying to force them- 
selves upon her.” 

“Oh, I spoke to her about them and told her I 
wouldn’t have it. She knows my opinion of them. 
You see, one of them boarded where we did and 
belonged to a vaudeville company, and that was 
how it began. I’ve asked my cousin Helen Ray- 
mond to look in upon her all she can. Helen’s a 
splendid girl. Why, you remember her. I used to 
think you were all broke up on her. Is it possible 
that you have forgotten those lovely dark, laugh- 
ing eyes of hers ? What can you be made of? Any- 
way, you succeeded in keeping all the other fellows 
away from her, didn’t you? But what nurse’s pic- 
ture is that over your desk?” 

“That’s my best friend,” answered the doctor. 

“Why don’t you say your best girl and be done 
with it ? Oh, I know her, Ethel J ewett, a right nice- 
looking girl, too. Yes, I heard about you and 
Ethel. In a town like this news flies, you know. ’ ’ 

37 


YOUNG DOCTOR HAMILTON 


He stood still looking at tlie portrait. “Seems 
* to me, yon get more than your share, old fellow. 
Yes, a sweet pretty girl is Ethel.” 

The doctor smiled. It’s always gratifying to a 
man to see his lady-love through the admiration of 
another man’s eyes. 

“Well, I must be off, and you’ll look in on Emma 
when you can, won’t you? Of course I’ll write 
very often. I suppose it was rather a stupid thing 
to do,” he added reflectively, “but I hated to see 
her flirting with that Bob Eemington, and I knew 
to get married would stop it.” 

An amused smile passed over the doctor’s face. 
“Yours is a queer philosophy, Appleton,” he said, 
as he bade him good-bye. 

The young doctor sat musing. Finally he said to 
himself, ‘ ‘ I ought to tell Ethel. She has a right to 
know it. She might hear it from some one else — 
I ’d rather she would hear it from me. ’ ’ He put on 
his hat and walked out. 

“Well, Mrs Jewett, here I am again. Where is 
Ethel ? ’ ’ and the doctor threw himself into a chair. 

“She’ll soon be back, but she didn’t expect you 
or she wouldn’t have gone — I’m sure.” 

‘ ‘ That ’s so, I ’m ahead of time, but I want to tell 
her something, and it wouldn’t keep.” 

A kindly smile lighted up the face of the widow. 
38 


YOUNG DOCTOR HAMILTON 


“And may I be here, tooT’ and she put her hand 
on his shoulder. 

He was silent awhile. Then he answered, “I 
prefer to tell Ethel alone.” 

The widow laughed. “I guess she’ll tell me 
afterwards. You see I’ve been a widow ever since 
Ethel was two years old and I ’m more like a sister 
to her. We do everything together. Here she is.” 

Ethel now came bounding in singing in her low, 
sweet, rippling voice. “What, so soon here again?” 
she said. “Something told me that you would be 
here to-day. That was mental telepathy, wasn’t 
it?” 

After her warm greeting, she sat down on an 
ottoman, clasped her hands over her knee and 
looked up in his face with that perfect trustfulness 
of a child, saying, “You know how glad I am when 
you can give me an extra half hour, don ’t you ? But 
what have you been doing to yourself. You look 
awfully serious.” 

“I feel so. I want to talk to you, Ethel. Won’t 
you come nearer ? I want to tell you a story. Do 
you know Miss Eaymond? — Helen Raymond?” 

‘ ‘ Oh, yes, I was one of the nurses that took care 
of her mother, a lovely old lady, and Miss Helen’s 
a charming girl. ’ ’ 

“Well, Ethel, I knew her when she was a school- 
girl. I was then a medical student. We used to 
39 


YOUNG DOCTOR HAMILTON 


take long tramps together Saturday afternoons. 
She was a merry, laughing, teasing girl. I couldn’t 
tell how much she cared for me, but she gave up 
many a matinee to go out with me, and before I 
knew where I was she was everything to me, for I 
loved her, Ethel, I loved her dearly. Then one day 
she didn’t keep her appointment, and I received a 
little note saying that she thought it best for both 
of us that we shouldn’t meet any more. That they 
were going to send her away to a distant college, 
adding, “Please don’t think about me any more, 
please don’t.” I can’t tell you what that was like, 
Ethel, for she had become a part of my very life.” 

“And it made you so unhappy! Oh, my poor 
darling, I can feel so sorry for you.” She drew his 
head down upon her bosom and kissed his hair, his 
forehead, his lips, and her eyes filled. 

“I can’t tell you how long it was, Ethel, but for a 
long time I did everything mechanically. And yet 
if I could I wouldn’t have blotted her out of my 
life, for it had been so sweet to know her. But in 
time I lived it down, and she had become like one 
dead and passed from me. Since then your love 
has been everything to me, my Ethel. Then to- 
day, when I heard her name, I determined to tell 
you. ’ ’ 

‘ ‘ But why did you tell me, dear ? ’ ’ 

“Why did I tell you, Ethel? Why, because if I 
40 


YOUNG DOCTOR HAMILTON 


did not it would be like coming to you with a lie 
upon my soul. And after telling you this, Ethel, 
you will love me all the same, darling?” 

“Do you think anything could rob you of that? 
No, no.” 

“And you will believe me when I tell you that I 
love you dearly?” 

‘ ‘ Of course I will. Far more than if you had not 
told me. My love, my darling, you know what you 
have been to me oh, such a long, long time. Let me 
tell you something. I’ve often thought of it — it is 
said that a man likes to be loved, and that a woman 
likes to love someone. I don’t think you could love 
me in the same way as I love you,” she added pas- 
sionately, “but I am so happy — so perfectly satis- 
fied. Now lie down and rest while I help mother 
with the supper. ’ ’ 

“I want to take you to the big church fair to- 
night, Ethel, I want you to meet some of my 
friends.” 


41 


YOUNG DOCTOR HAMILTON 


CHAPTEE II. 

As they entered the fair, a young man came up 
to them and holding out his hand said, “Don’t 
you remember me, Hamilton ? ’ ’ 

“Why, of course I do. Miss Jewett, this is Dr. 
Pierson. We were students together. And what 
are you doing here, Pierson!” 

“What am I doing! Why the girls have roped 
me in for telling fortunes. See my grotto over 
there!” 

“Ah, I remember that you used to be a sort of 
psychological genius — you told my fortune once, 
hut it didn’t come out as you predicted.” 

“What didn’t come out! I swear I never made 
a mistake yet.” 

‘ ‘ Indeed you did. You said I would marry a girl 
with very dark eyes and dark hair, and Miss 
Jewett is a sort of half blonde. Isn’t that so, 
Ethel!” 

Ethel laughed and said that was about it. 

Dr. Pierson was silent. Then he said, “Well, 
it’s the first time I’ve made a slip up, but I see 
they ’re waiting for me. ’ ’ 

“Miss Jewett, buy a ticket to have your fortune 
42 


YOUNG DOCTOR HAMILTON 


told, won’t you?” said a little, bright-eyed girl. 
‘ ‘ Only fifty cents. ’ ’ 

“All right, Emiline, but I don’t want to wait.” 

“You can go now.” 

Ethel entered the grotto. Dr. Pierson took her 
hand. He leaned over it. His brows contracted, 
and for some time he was silent. Finally he said, 
“You are going on a journey. You will be very 
happy. You will always be very happy as long as 
you live. I can’t tell you any more, dear Miss 
Jewett.” 

‘ ‘ Short and sweet, ’ ’ and Ethel laughed her good- 
bye. 

“Oh, Dr. Hamilton, we can’t let you off. Fifty 
cents for the good of the cause. You must have 
your fortune told. Dr. Pierson ’s busy, but we have 
a Hungarian gipsy on the other side, and she’s 
wonderful. ’ ’ 

‘ ‘ Ethel, can you wait ? ” he asked. 

“Oh, yes, but don’t be long.” 

“You want ze cards or ze hand?” asked the 
sybil, as he took his seat. 

“All the same to me, my dear woman,” replied 
the doctor. 

After some preliminary remarks she came to the 
main point of her subject, and said, “I see one who 
loves you so, so much, and you love her, too, but 
you never will marry her. You cannot. It won’t 
43 


YOUNG DOCTOR HAMILTON 


be your fault. It won’t be ber fault, for you love 
each other dearly. The fates won’t let you. I see 
you sitting at a table, looking over some papers, 
and a dark girl is by your side, her arms around 
your neck. She loves you dearly and you will 
marry her. ’ ’ 

“Thank you. That’s enough, I’m sure. Oh, 
Ethel, here you are, and what did you get for your 
fifty cents, ’ ’ he added laughing. 

“Oh, a dear, sweet little fortune. I’m to be 
happy as long as I live. ’ ’ 

“But what a pack of nonsense those people stuff 
you with. And the fun of it is some believe what 
they tell them. But what train do you take to- 
morrow? I do wish that you wouldn’t take that 
case, dear. Why do you? I shall miss you so 
much.” 

‘ ‘ Oh, a very light case. I shall be back in three 
weeks.” 

‘ ‘ Why must we wait three weeks ? ’ ’ 

“I’ll tell you. I’m having a handsome dress 
made. Now that I am going to belong to you, I 
want to look stylish.” 

“You always look well, Ethel.” 

‘ ‘ Oh, but this is something scrumptuous, 
and ” 

“But it gives me such a miserable unrest to have 
44 


YOUNG DOCTOR HAMILTON 


you so far away. But why go? You don’t need the 
money.” 

“No, hut they’re such old friends and I prom- 
ised.” 

“You take the eight- thirty train, I believe. Well, 
I ’ll see you off, darling. ’ ’ 

***###*** 

“I heard that old Hungarian telling Dr. Hamil- 
ton’s fortune,” said the sexton’s wife, as she swept 
up after the fair. ‘ ‘ She told him he would never 
marry Ethel Jewett. But he’s very fond of her, 
and if anything should separate them it would 
break her heart. ’ ’ 

********* 

The next morning Ethel found the doctor wait- 
ing for her at the depot. 

“I’ll get your trunk checked,” he said. “Mind, 
not a day longer than the three weeks.” 

The train was now at the station. He handed 
Ethel in and watched from the platform as the 
train puffed off. She threw him a kiss from the 
window. Finally there was only a black speck in 
the distance. Still he stood and watched, for it 
seemed to him as though the voice, the smile, the 
beauty of the large, earnest, violet eyes were being 

carried away from him into the eternities. 

***##*#** 

Ethel had been gone two weeks when one day 
45 


YOUNG DOCTOR HAMILTON 


only a penciled note reached the doctor, instead of 
her long, daily letter. It stated that there were 
two more cases of typhoid in the family and she 
was tired out. Every two hours the doctor used 
the long distance telephone to inquire. Then came 
the words, “The nurse is down sick. Says not to 
worry. ’ ’ 

He was soon at her mother’s. 

“I shall go for Ethel and bring her back as soon 
as possible. There’s a train at 7 :30,” he said. 

There was a ring at the bell. 

“I’ll go,” said the doctor. 

It was a telegram. “Ethel Jewett died at 2 :30. 
Send instructions. ’ ’ 

There was a thud on the floor. 

‘ ‘ Oh, God, what is it ? ” cried the mother. ‘ ‘ Help ! 
help ! ’ ’ 

A letter followed later. “Ethel received your 
letter and the doctor’s. She was very happy, and 
in her perfect happiness went into delirium and 
passed away.” 


46 


YOUNG DOCTOR HAMILTON 


CHAPTEE III. 

The doctor opened his mail, among which was a 
small envelope that brought the perfume of fresh 
violets. It contained a card. 

‘‘Dear Dr. Hamilton: 

“My very deepest sympathies. 

“Helen Raymond.'' 

It was so long since he had seen her hand-writ- 
ing it was like a message from another world. All 
the pain and the pleasure came back again as 
though it were yesterday. She, the romping, 
merry girls of sixteen, meeting his love with a 
laughing, mischievous denial, that fascinated, 
while it annoyed him, and yet, so sweet in her tan- 
talizing ways, he wouldn’t have had her ditferent 
if he could. 

It was one of those love-passages of a life that 
lead no whither, like some strange, unreal fantasy, 
and yet it was so sweet to live it all over again. Be- 
sides, she had not forgotten him, and yet — and 
yet — , to be always perhaps in the far-off, notwith- 
standing she was on the outskirts of the very same 
town. 

“Doctor, that’s your telephone — it rang before 
and you didn ’t seem to hear it. ’ ’ 

47 


YOUNG DOCTOR HAMILTON 


Dr. Hamilton rose and answered the call. “Yes, 
Jack, I ’m home and will be glad to see you. ’ ’ 

Soon after. Jack Appleton made his appearance. 
“Couldn’t stand it out there any longer,” he said. 
“Besides, the way you wrote me determined me to 
get back home. Awfully good of you, old fellow. 
You see Emma couldn’t keep that flimsy set 
around her if she had some nice, companionable 
woman with her all the time. I did think that 
Helen Eaymond would spend most of her time 
there, now she’s home from college. But that 
Caroline, her father’s second wife, has taken her 
about with them. Ah, she’s a designing, artful 
woman, under the guise of the deepest maternal 
love for Helen. She’s making my uncle spend 
a good deal of money bringing Helen out. They ’ve 
scooped up a senator in their travels, and he 
now hangs round Helen a good deal. It’s plain 
to see what Caroline is up to. I heard her 
talking to Helen about their living in Washing- 
ton. I saw from the first that she intended to 
trade on Helen’s good looks to get her into that 
set that she is hankering after, and when a fellow 
wants an introduction to Helen he has to get it 
through the step-mother. You know the Eev. 
Thomas Clark? He asked me to introduce him to 
Helen. He admires her ever so much. But I knew 
Caroline would snub him, and that there was nt» 
48 


YOUNG DOCTOR HAMILTON 


chance for him, and it might end in raising his 
hopes for nothing. So I told him as much. I felt 
I was doing the poor fellow a good service, but 
from the way he looks at me I guess he thinks 
otherwise. ’ ’ 

The doctor was silent. Finally he said, “And 
does Miss Helen care very much for the senator?” 
and he busied himself with papers on his desk. 

“Ah, that’s a question. He is a lawyer — ^wou 
that big case in Washington where Caroline’s 
brother killed and robbed a man so cruelly who had 
been such a friend to him. The evidence was so 
strong against him that nothing short of the elo- 
quence of Coleman could have saved him. And 
money of course to back it. They were talking of 
it at a dinner party, and Helen opened her big eyes 
and asked, “But did Senator Coleman know for 
sure that the man murdered him ? ’ ’ And everyone 
said, ‘ ‘ Why, of course he did. ’ ’ She whispered to 
me, “I shall never feel the same to him after that.” 
And she didn ’t eat much more dinner. That Caro- 
line rules the house with a rod of iron. After din- 
ner they were talking of the various professions 
and Helen remarked that in her opinion, the medi- 
cal profession stood highest — higher than the 
church, and Caroline’s eyes flashed and she scolded 
her and said, “What could you be thinking of to 
49 


YOUNG DOCTOR HAMILTON 


say that when the senator was standing by, and his 
uncle a bishop. ’ ’ 

‘ ‘ But who is this Coleman ? ’ ’ 

‘ ‘ Why, Clarence Coleman. Y on must have heard 
of him.” 

“WTiat! that wretch?” turning sharply round. 
“His double life was in the papers.” 

“Hush, old boy. That’s some time ago. Helen 
was too young to know anything about it, so she 
doesn’t know. Besides, they say when a man has 
money and a position he hasn’t any past. That 
is, people let it alone.” 

“But her father must know and what can he be 
thinking of?” 

“Well, his wife Caroline manages him. Then I 
think he has lost a good deal lately and doesn’t 
like to acquaint his family with it. Then Caroline 
is a designing woman and has set her heart on liv- 
ing in Washington. I imagine Helen doesn’t care 
so much for him as yet, but they say he has a won- 
derful winning way with women — seems to have 
had considerable experience, and so long as Helen 
doesn’t care for any other fellow, I guess she’ll 
tumble to it in the end. She’ll be different from 
most girls, if she doesn’t.” 

The doctor was silent. 


50 


YOUNG DOCTOR HAMILTON 


CHAPTER IV. 

The winter had passed into summer and the 
summer into winter again. There was but little 
change in the even tenor of Dr. Hamilton’s life. 

One evening as he sat in his office he was pleased 
when the door opened to Jack Appleton. “Glad 
to see you, old fellow. What’s the news from 
your part of the town?” 

“Oh, nothing.” He was silent awhile, then he 
continued, “What a mistake it was when Uncle 
Raymond married that Caroline. It brought such 
an unhealthy influence into the house. I am sorry 
that my cousin Helen should see the wrong side 
of life so early. She said to me the other even- 
ing, “I find that several of the women of Caro- 
line’s set don’t live with their husbands, and sev- 
eral of the men don’t live with their wives, and I 
suspect it will be like that with me and Clarence, in 
about three years we shall separate. I’m going 
into this for poor papa’s sake. His money has 
got into a tangle with Caroline’s brother, who’s 
none too honest, I’m afraid, and there’s no hope 
for any peace of mind for him but for us to fall 
into Caroline’s wishes. Ah, if I had money of my 
own, or if I could in any way earn an income for 

51 


YOUNG DOCTOR HAMILTON 


both of us and take my father away! But that’s 
impossible, and it’s just an agony to think of it. 
Oh, well, I may stand it while papa lives, and then 
leave Clarence unless he gives up — well, no matter 
— but I shall look forward to leaving him.” 

“But what a miserable life for a woman to be 
alone in the world and not free,” said the doctor, 
turning sharply round. “Your uncle is making a 
sacrifice of the girl. Can’t you talk to him?” 

“My dear fellow, the old man’s on his last legs, I 
can see. I don’t see how any talk can help the 
matter. The thing has to take its course.” He 
looked at his watch. “I promised to call for 
Emma at the dressmaker’s. That’s what brought 
me this side of town. Well, so long. ’ ’ 

When the doctor was left alone, he fell into a 
reverie. That Helen’s case was a hopeless one 
was a consciousness so painful that for days and 

weeks it hung over him like a pall. 
**##**#* 

It was early in the afternoon. The doctor was 
seated in his office talking with an old patient. 

“You look tired,” said the old gentleman. “You 
young doctors are often under a strain. You don’t 
realize it, but it’s there. It tells upon you. Do 
you get plenty of sleep. Dr. Hamilton ? ’ ’ 

“Enough bed, perhaps, but can’t always get to 
sleep,” and he smiled. 


52 


YOUNG DOCTOR HAMILTON 


When his patient had gone and he was alone, the 
doctor threw himself wearily upon a couch and 
fell into a slumber. 

He dreamed that Helen was waiting for him on 
an embankment. He struggled to reach the spot, 
but his feet were shod with lead, and he could not 
move. He tried to call to her, but his tongue was 
paralyzed. 

Then he found that a stream flowed between him 
and the embankment, and with difficulty he dragged 
himself to a boat and tried to row to her with all 
the painful intensity of a dream, but the waters 
carried him down the current away from her, while 
the winds brought her voice in passionate appeal 
calling to him. 

Finally the nightmare passed and he awoke. 
Someone was calling, “The telephone for you, doc- 
tor.” 

He started up, took the receiver, and called, 
“Hello.” 

‘ ‘ Is this Dr. Hamilton ? ’ ’ 

“Yes, who is this?” 

“It’s me. Jack Appleton. I’m at my uncle Ray- 
mond ’s. He ’s very ill, and our doctor can ’t come. 
Can you get here at once ? ’ ’ 

“Yes, I’ll come at once.” 

On reaching the house, he found Mr. Raymond 
in a fit beyond all medical aid. 

53 


YOUNG DOCTOR HAMILTON 


“It’s simply worry that has killed him, doctor,” 
said Caroline, with a sharp look at Helen, who 
was standing over her father and stroking his 
hands. 

When all was over and nothing more could be 
done, the doctor and Jack Appleton sat in the 
library. The doctor was gazing round on the 
various objects that were so familiar to him when 
he used to sit there waiting for Helen in those 
days when they took their long tramps together. 

Presently old Chloe, the colored nurse who had 
been with Helen since she was a baby, put her 
head in at the door and said, “Docf Hamilton’ 
’pears as tho’ Mis’ Helen needs a doctor worse ’n 
anybody else. I can’t quiet her no how, guess you 
might give her somethun, an’ she didn’t eat nuffin 
f 0 ’ two days now. ’ ’ 

The doctor took his satchel and followed her 
to Helen’s room. Her face was smothered in her 
pillow and sobs shook her frame. He laid his hand 
on her shoulder, and leaning over her, said, “Miss 
Eaymond — Helen, won ’t you let me speak to you ? 
Listen, Helen. I want to thank you for your word 
of sympathy that came to me when I was in so 
much trouble, when I lost my friend! You see I 
know what it is to he called upon to suffer. I was 
ill awhile or I would have acknowledged it, and 
54 


YOUNG DOCTOR HAMILTON 


when I got well, you had gone travelling, and it 
was too late.” 

Presently Helen controlled herself, and turning 
her face toward him held out her hand, saying, 
“Oh, I was so sorry, very sorry for you.” 

“This water-bag has slipped down, let me ad- 
just it. There! Isn’t that better? Don’t you 
want this other pillow ? ’ ’ 

‘ ‘ Thank you ; that ’s so much more comfortable. 
Doctor, you remind me of something I read once.. 
What do you suppose it was ? ” , 

“I’m sure I don ’t know — you tell me. ” 

“I read it in one of papa’s old books. That a 
physician’s hands are the gentlest among men 
next to a woman’s.” 

“Is that so? Well, that’s the way it ought to 
be, isn’t it?” 

She riveted her large, sad eyes upon him and a 
half-smile passed over the pale face. 

The day had faded into evening when Chloe 
came in with tea and toast. 

“Here’s ’nough fo’ you, too. Doctor. I knows 
well ’nough how you used to come here, don’t I? 
Make her eat jis a morful, de po’ chile’s all broke 
up.” 

Soon after the doctor took his leave of Helen, 
saying, “Now whenever I can he of further use. 
Miss Eaymond, you will call upon me, won’t you?” 
•; 55 


YOUNG DOCTOR HAMILTON 


CHAPTER V. 

“Dr. Hamilton, you’re wanted at the ’phone.” 

“Hello, who is it?” 

“Is this Dr. Hamilton?” 

“Yes, Dr. Hamilton.” 

“This is Helen — Helen Raymond. You said I 
might call on you. Doctor, and everything seems in 
such a tangle, I don’t know where to begin. Poor 
papa couldn’t attend to any of his affairs lately, 
and his old lawyer, Mr. Bowen, is dead, and the 
sons don’t seem to care to help us out. Could you 
really give us a little of your time to look over his 
papers with me ? I can ’t understand some of them. 
Most of the securities, I’m afraid, are worthless.” 

The doctor and Helen were sitting in the library, 
the large table before them covered with docu- 
ments. 

‘ ‘ Are these the papers you want looked at ? ” he 
asked. 

There was a rustle of skirts and Mrs. Raymond 
stood before them. ‘ ‘ Have you sent to the lawyers, 
Helen?” 

“Not yet, we’re trying to get things into shape. 
56 


YOUNG DOCTOR HAMILTON 


I hope there’ll be enough to settle with everyone 
and clear papa’s name of debt.” 

“Debt, indeed. I should think I ought to come 
in somewhere. I should like to know what I’ve 
gained by marrying your father.” 

“I told you, Caroline, that I didn’t want any- 
thing. I can find something to do. Dr. Hamilton, 
don’t you think I might take a nurse’s course?” 

“Well, let us give our attention to these now. 
We’ll speak of that bye-an-bye,” he answered 
quietly. 

“Well, Helen, I want to know as soon as I can 
how I stand,” continued Caroline as she walked 
away. 

“Now, as I understand it, these will pay your 
outstanding bills, and ” 

“You see I nursed poor papa so long under Dr. 
Brown’s care that I’d better be a nurse, and ” 

“Now these D., L. & W. are all right — there’s no 
better. I’ll add them up.” 

“Could I make a start here at one of the hos- 
pitals for training, or must I go to one of the big 
cities?” she asked. 

“Oh, you’re thinking of the nurse again. Sup- 
pose we finish this business first,” and he looked 
up this time and smiled as their eyes met. 

“I’ve interrupted you again, haven’t I? But I 
57 


YOUNG DOCTOR HAMILTON 


won’t do it any more. Pardon me,” and she laid 
her hand on his arm. 

He looked down at the figures again. 

“That’s the first time I’ve seen you smile like 
that in a long, long time,” she said. 

He worked on in silence. Helen, sitting oppo- 
site him, her hands clasped on the table watching 
him, her eyes wandering over him from his hair 
down to his hands that rested on the papers. It 
seemed to her that all the painful past was bridged 
over and they were back in the time when they 
first knew each other. It was a silence filled with 
so many memories. The painful monotony of her 
life had ceased and she would launch out into a 
new world and he was the only one who could tell 
her just what to do. 

At last the doctor drew a breath of relief and sat 
back in his chair. “This is what I make it?” he 
said, turning round the paper for her to read. 

“Is that all? The interest on that won’t bring 
her in enough to satisfy her, I’m afraid. But then, 
when this house is sold it will bring something. ’ ’ 

‘ ‘ Y our father didn ’t make a will ? ’ ’ 

“Oh, yes, but what’s the use of it, when he had 
lost nearly everything. Of course, I have a pride 
about it. I don’t want to have her talk against my 
father for leaving her nothing. As for myself, I’m 
so delighted at the thought of entering the activi- 
58 


YOUNG DOCTOR HAMILTON 


ties of life, I feel quite proud already to know 
that I shall be one of the great army of workers in 
the world’s laboring classes. I have looked out of 
the window of a morning and watched the people 
hastening to their work and envied them. They 
must feel so independent and so happy. ’ ’ 

The doctor smiled. “Many of them do, no 
doubt,” he answered. “But let us come back to 
business. First of all, the law allows Mrs. Eay- 
mond a third, which she’ll demand of course. Then 
you intend to add to it, all there is — or likely to be. 
Now, why not make this a life-interest. I should 
advise this above all things, otherwise she may will 
it away as soon as it’s in her possession.” 

“I never thought of that. ’ ’ 

“I’m sure your father would have .considered 
this the just thing to do under the circumstances. ’ ’ 
“Here is Chloe with some tea.” 

“Now I’ve numbered the papers and your law- 
yer will find them all together. Also the bills are 
together. Here they are. ’ ’ 

“Thank you so much. Now when can you come 
again, and we will talk over the nurse question.” 

“But, Miss Helen, you must understand there’s 
a great deal yet to be done. Your house and furni- 
ture are to be sold. I would advise you giving 
these matters your attention first. ’ ’ 

“Oh, dear, yes, but I do feel that I can’t wait.” 

59 


YOUNG DOCTOR HAMILTON 


Their eyes met again and they both laughed. 
“Women haven’t the cool deliberation that men 
have, have they?” she said. We like to rush into 
things, don’t we? But, really, I’ve been schooling 
myself lately and economizing and found it is no 
hardship at all. ’ ’ 

“It’s wonderful how many things we find we can 
do without, when we haven’t the money to buy 
them,” he said. 

Then they both laughed again. 

“I feel sure I shall succeed,” she said again, 
alluding to her future vocation. “I’ve read some- 
where that the gifts of life are not for those who 
endeavor, but for those who endure, and I have 
been so unhappy. You don’t know, but it’s all over 
now.” 

He looked at his watch. 

“Yes, I’ve kept you so long, haven’t I?” she 
continued. “I know I can’t thank you enough,” 
and she held out both her hands. They were beau- 
tiful hands too, supple, long-fingered, rosy-tipped ; 
and something of the old, tantalizing fascination 
took possession of him again as the witchery of her 
dark eyes fastened upon him and held him again 
as it did long ago when he was a student and met 
her for the first time, when all was so illusive, so 
visionary. “To have you here again seems like 
the long ago come back,” she said. 

6o 


YOUNG DOCTOR HAMILTON 


Was it not Browning who said: “There are 
smiles so genuine, so sweet, they carry an invisible 
kiss with them that lingers long after, like the 
radiant after-glow of a glorious sunset, — ^yet with 
that fugitive intangible charm ! ’ ’ 

Night was wrapping the town in her shroud 
when the doctor left. 


6i 


YOUNG DOCTOR HAMILTON 


CHAPTER VI. 

“Oh, Helen, don’t be away again, when I come 
home. It seems so lonely without you,” the doctor 
said. 

“Does it? Well, I’ve been to see Mrs. Jewett, 
and it was farther than I thought. ’ ’ 

“What? All that way? No wonder you’re so 
out of breath. It’s a tremendous hill. It was too 
long a walk for you. You must lie down and rest. ’ ’ 

“No, I want to see about the dinner. That girl 
can’t do anything alone. She is only a machine. ’ ’ 

“You shall not go into the kitchen again to-day. 
I’ll look after the machinery, and don’t you take 
such a walk again. ’ ’ 

“But I want to make a sauce. I’ve been trying 
a new receipt. It won’t take long. I left every- 
thing ready.” 

“ I ’ll make the sauce. ’ ’ 

“No, you’ll spoil it.” 

“Let me take off your boots. There, now you 
can lie down and take a nap till I call you to din- 
ner. I shall lock your door. If the sauce isn’t 
right. I’ll eat it all. Let me loosen your dress. Let 
go. I can do it. ’ ’ 


62 


YOUNG DOCTOR HAMILTON 


“Mrs. Jewett said you were there last week. 
Why didn ’t you tell me ? ’ ’ 

“I forgot, darling. I run in whenever I’m up 
there. ’ ’ 

“She said you are just like a son to her. But 
she made me laugh for she asked me if I loved you 
as you deserved. So to satisfy her I told her what 
a silly girl I used to be when they wouldn ’t let me 
see you any more — how I used to steal down at 
night when every one was in bed and kiss the cold 
marble in the hall where your coat used to hang 
and then cry myself to sleep till I thought my heart 
would break. She asked me if Ethel’s picture still 
hung in your office, and I said it would be there 
as long as I lived because she loved you, and she 
said, ‘The doctor was very fond of Ethel,’ and I 
told her I should be ashamed of you if you hadn’t 
been, and I said I had intended to be a nurse, only 
you were so lonely you wouldn’t let me. Then I 
told her that if we had a daughter we would call 
her Ethel. 

“But suppose it should not be a daughter,” she 
said, raising her eyebrows. 

“Well, then, it will have to be a son, I told her, 
and we are going to name him Ethelbert, a good 
old Saxon name, and we shall call him Ethel for 
short. This touched her so that she threw her 
arms round me and hugged and kissed me. ’ ’ 

63 


YOUNG DOCTOR HAMILTON 


“And I must follow her example. Oh, Helen, 
you don’t know what you are to me! Queer that 
Jack Appleton could stay away from his wife so 
long. Hope he has found out by this time that 
love’s the highest form of human happiness.” 

Helen laughed. “You seem to have found it so 
anyway. After all, it’s the simplest things that 
please us most — ^isn’t it?” 

“Now, darling, get to sleep. I shall go and try 
my hand at that sauce. ’ ’ 


64 







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